Lala Lajpat Rai Biodata

Early Career

In college days he came in contact with patriots and future freedom fighters like 'Lala Hans Raj' and 'Pandit Guru Dutt'. The three became fast friends and joined the 'Arya Samaj' founded by 'Swami Daya Nand Saraswati'. He collected funds for the Daya Nand College, attended Arya Samaj functions and participated in Congress activities. He was elected to the Hissar municipality as a member and later as secretary. He shifted to Lahore in 1892.

In 1895 he helped found the 'Punjab National Bank' demonstrating his concern for self-help and enterprise. In 1897 he founded the 'Hindu Orphan Relief Movement' to keep the Christian missions from securing custody of these children. In the National Congress in 1900 he stressed the importance of constructive, nation-building activity and programs for self-reliance. He led the Punjab protests against the Jalianwala Bagh Massacre and the Non-Cooperation Movement. He was arrested several times. He disagreed with Gandhiji's suspension of Non-Cooperation movement due to the Chauri-Chaura incident, and formed the Congress Independence Party, which had a pro-Hindu slant.

As An Author

Lala Lajpat Rai was also a noted writer. His books are "The United States of America": A Hindu's impressions and a study, "History of the Arya Samaj", "Swaraj and social change", "England's Debt to India": India, The Problems Of National Education In India were among the books.

Death

In 1928 the British Government decided to send Simon Commission to India to discuss constitutional reforms. The Commission had no Indian member. This greatly angered Indians. While the procession was peaceful, British Government vicious manner lathicharged the procession. Thousands of hearts and voices shouted "Simon, go back!" The lion of Punjab, Lala Lajpat Rai, led the procession. When the trains reached the station, the cry "Simon, go back!" hit the sky. Police security arrangements crumbled. The crowd was so thick that movement was impossible. The Police charged with their stout sticks. The blood of innocent people began to flow. Lalaji's friends 'Sukhdev', 'Yashpal', 'Bhagavati Charan' and others surrounded him, in order to protect him. Police officer Scot saw Lalaji and his bodyguards. He ordered the Police to beat the bodyguards. A Police officer named 'Sanders' came forward to do the job. The Police Lathis rained blows on Lalaji on the head and all over the body. Lala realized this incident would lead to conflict and a bloodbath. He told the huge crowd of revolutionary youths: "Leave this place." The crowd dispersed. Lala Lajpat Rai received severe head injuries and died on November17, 1928.

Lajpat Rai once said: "If I had the power to influence Indian journals, I would have the following headlines printed in bold letters on the first page:
Milk for the infants
Food for the adults
Education for all,"